The Water Gardens were beautiful. Winterfell was a formidable sight, but the Water Gardens…it was enchanting. Ashara breathed deeply and stared intently at the palace and entrances to the gardens. On the palace's left was a row of trees found only in hot, sunny Dorne.

"Beautiful is it not?" Oberyn Martell rode up to her on his stallion black as sin with a mane and tail the colour of fire. It was a Dornish sand steed – Ashara had recognised it at once by its long neck, slim build and narrow, beautiful head. She was also raised alongside a stable of fine sand steeds when she was a child. Sand steeds were the swiftest horses in the Seven Kingdoms; smaller than the average warhorse and unable to bear the heavy weight of the armour worn by a common warhorse, it was claimed that they were able to run for a day and night, another day, and never tire.

Ashara's own white palfrey almost died from exhaustion after she arrived at Starfall. Ashara doubted the horse would last a journey to the Water Gardens and as a sign of friendship (probably), the Martells gifted her, Allyria, Edric and Lord Beric Dondarrion each with handpicked Dornish sand steeds from the stables of Sunspear. Needless to say, Ashara was speechless. When the Dornish joined the war on the side of the Targaryens, all the sand steeds of Starfall were ridden by the Dayne men her late brother sent. All the Dayne soldiers were killed and their steeds stolen or murdered – Ashara had not ridden or owned a sand steed since. From Starfall to the Water Gardens, it felt good to ride a horse of her childhood again. It felt better that she rode a sand steed in Dorne too.

"It is charming," said Ashara quickly as she realised Oberyn was still waiting for an answer. "Absolutely charming."

"Charming? Is that all Lady Stark?" Oberyn grinned at her. "After a short stay here, I hope you will find more words to describe it."

Ashara smiled. "I'm certain I will Prince Oberyn." She turned to Allyria. "What do you think, Sister? Is it not beautiful?" Allyria nodded, her violet eyes as wide as dishes. If Allyria and Lyarra were ever together, Ashara was confident that a number of people would mistaken them for sisters.

"I thought I would be whisked away to Blackhaven after my wedding," Allyria whispered as Oberyn walked away to meet a friend or cousin. "I'm so pleased my lord husband allowed me to come here with you. I don't want you to go back to Winterfell, Ashara. The North is so far away!"

"I must return to Winterfell eventually Allyria…my children need me and Ned needs me too."

"You will leave for Winterfell after meeting Matysse?"

Ashara nodded sadly. "If I stay here too long, the Northerners will suspect I've abandoned them or something. I am one of them now, Sister. I was a Dornish girl and am now a Northern woman. You were born a Dornish girl and will grow into a lady of the Stormlands. Once you have children of your own, you will know how being a mother would feel."

"Why couldn't you have married a Dornish lord or a Storm lord? If you had, I would have the chance to see you more."

"Oh Allyria! If I could've, I would've married a Blackmont or a Qorgyle to stay near you and Starfall. However, for numerous reasons I married Eddard Stark of Winterfell. He is a good man Allyria. An honourable man. There aren't many good and honourable men anymore."

"Lord Beric is an honourable and good man."

"One of the few," Ashara agreed.

"Lady Stark! Lady Dondarrion! Do you not wish to come inside?" Prince Doran looked at them from his wheel chair. Ashara and Allyria dismounted from their horses and followed him in. For the second time, Ashara gasped at the beauty of the interior of the Water Gardens.

Not of stone, the courtyard ground she stood upon was paved with pale pink marble. Doran led them under a triple archway; Ashara sighed at the captivating sight of the pools and fountains filled with laughing children, the sound of their laughter and splashing a surprisingly sweet song to hear. Looming over the pools and fountains were many blood orange trees. Ashara could not help but laugh as she caught sight of a little girl with curly dark hair stalk around numerous pools, knocking oranges off the trees with what appeared to be a morningstar. Ashara turned and gave Doran a questionable look.

The Prince of Dorne chuckled. "A little terror is she not? She is one of Oberyn's daughters, Dorea. It was Oberyn who gave her that morningstar as a name day gift I believe. She had initially wanted a small child-sized replica of Dawn but has now declared that morningstar her favourite toy. Last time she spoke to me, she was deciding on a name for it." He wheeled himself closer to Ashara and pointed at a small girl trailing behind the morningstar-wielding Dorea Sand. She looked to be about five and had wavy dark hair tumbling down her shoulders. "Another one of Oberyn's daughters," explained Doran. "Loreza. See the girl over there in the purple gown? That is Obella. She and Elia – the one next to her – are always plotting." He laughed. "So like their father they are."

"Are your own children among them Prince Doran?"

"Only Trystane, Lady Stark. Arianne prefers to dwell in Sunspear and Quentyn is in Yronwood. I'm afraid Trystane lacks company these days. Perhaps he will be happier with…a betrothed at his side." He gave her a benign smile like an uncle would give a beloved niece.

"You are keen to have a Stark for a good-daughter," remarked Ashara. "Would it not be beneficial for Dorne if Prince Trystane married a highborn lady from the Reach or the Stormlands?"

"It would. I expect I will be having a Yronwood good-daughter one day."

Ashara nodded. "If you do not mind me asking Prince Doran, but what of your daughter Arianne?" She hesitated. "I heard you suggested a number of suitors for her – none of them…"

"Vigorous enough for my fiery daughter?" Doran supplied. "I thought marriage to an older man would settle Arianne down. What are your thoughts of the Lord of Greenstone, Lady Stark? An elderly man, but a kind and placid one. An almost perfect companion for Arianne. Besides, he is maternally related to King Robert. A fine match do you not agree?"

"Um…"

Doran chuckled. "Arianne refused to even meet him. We were invited to visit him at Greenstone but Arianne outrightly declined and left for Sunspear in a huff. Oberyn and his paramour Ellaria went on our behalf. I don't think old Lord Eldon Estermont was impressed with the notion of entertaining Oberyn's lover."

"Not many understand Dornish customs and traditions. Queen Catelyn will be most displeased if she is obliged to entertain your brother's paramour."

"Your are quite right Lady Stark. Quite right indeed." He looked at Allyria who was entranced by the beauty of the Water Gardens. "What are your thoughts of the advantage of a Stark good-daughter, Lady Dondarrion? Or would you try and convince me to have a Dondarrion good-daughter? Not many Dondarrions left in Blackhaven eh? Only you, Lord Dondarrion and his half-sister."

Allyria looked surprised. "Lord Don-my husband has a half-sister?"

"You didn't know, Lady Dondarrion? She is younger than you – Trystane's age I believe. Pretty girl."

"You met her before, Prince Doran?"

"Oberyn met her when he journeyed through the Stormlands. He told me that she was a slip of a thing and very shy."

"I hope to meet her soon."

Doran nodded. He beckoned for Oberyn to approach. "Brother, why don't you introduce Lady Dondarrion to Ellaria and your daughters? I would like a moment alone with Lady Stark."

Another moment alone? Prince Doran Martell of Dorne had requested to talk to her privately once a few days throughout their stay in Starfall and the journey to the Water Gardens.

"My wife does not like the idea of fostering," commented Doran. "After I sent Quentyn to foster at Yronwood, I planned to have Arianne fostered at Tyrosh in an attempt to forge a strong alliance with the Free City. Mellario hated the mere idea of it and threatened to cut herself if I pursued the plan." Ashara managed to cover her look of surprise as Doran glanced at her. "Prince Doran," Ashara said tentatively. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Dorne is similar to the North," Doran answered. "For many centuries, princes and princesses of Dorne wedded Dornish lords and ladies like how the lords of Winterfell married Northern lords. We both embarked on change – you, a lady of Dorne wedded a Stark of Winterfell and I married a lady from Norvos. Out of all the regions in the Seven Kingdoms, I'd be honoured to ally Dorne with the Starks of the North. I'd be honoured indeed."

Ashara looked at him warily. "Prince Doran…have you suggested an alliance to my husband? He will make the final decision of a Stark-Martell alliance."

"Of course. The raven should be almost at Winterfell."

"Prince Doran, my son Brandon is already being fostered at court. Every day I worry for him – I don't even know what Ned is thinking." Words rushed out of Ashara's lips before she could stop them. "His father and brother died at King's Landing and now one of his sons, the one named after his brother, is at court in the pit of liars and actors." Her eyes widened as they met Doran's sorrowful and saddened ones. "Your…"

"My sister and her children died there too," Doran said quietly. "We both lost many loved ones."

"I…I didn't know what came over me Prince Doran."

Doran nodded. "No harm done Lady Stark. No harm done. I'm not asking for a marital alliance between our Houses, Lady Stark. If Lord Stark prefers, Trystane can be fostered at Winterfell-"

"I will write to my husband," said Ashara quickly. "One of my children will um, grow more accustomed to Dorne than your son to the North. I cannot promise a marriage, Prince Doran. A fostering…perhaps. It will all depend on Lord Stark. I'll help of course. I too can see the…the benefits of a Stark-Martell alliance." Ashara supposed there were a couple of advantages in the alliance Doran craved. A trade in wool and warm fruits for one; good horses for another. Ned told her that the Northern horses have adapted to the freezing winters. In Dorne it was never as cold (the coldest a Dornish winter was about as chilly as a late Northern autumn) but sturdy horses would be useful. As for defences, Ashara had yet to find one as beneficial as trade. Mayhaps Maester Luwin would help with that.

Doran smiled at her. "Thank you Lady Stark. Would you like to meet my dear cousin Lady Matysse?"

Ashara nodded. "That will be excellent." She followed him to one of the largest round pools filled with sparkling water. About ten children played in it, all with smiles on their faces. One of the girls looked up and beamed at Doran. She must be Lady Matysse Martell.

"Matysse," said Doran gently. "Come and meet Lady Ashara Stark. She is one of the aunts of your betrothed."

The pretty Dornish girl clambered out of the pool and nodded respectfully at Ashara. "Lady Stark," she said, pearly white teeth peeking from her smile. "It is an honour to meet you."

"An honour to meet you too," Ashara returned. As Lady Matysse Martell spoke pleasantries of the fine weather, Ashara studied her discreetly. Not particularly tall or short, Lady Matysse had a pretty smile. Her eyes were a shade of hazelnut brown – no doubt some part inherited from her Tyroshi mother – and her black wavy hair tumbled down her shoulders in ringlets. Her red dress was soaked and water dripped from the edges like diamonds. Ashara was confident Edric would like her within minutes of meeting her.

"How do you like the Water Gardens Lady Stark?" said Matysse politely.

"Very beautiful," answered Ashara, smiling warmly back at her. "I've arrived a short time ago. You've been here for a couple of years. How do you find living in the Water Gardens Lady Matysse?"

"It is so tranquil here my lady! It feels like paradise!"

Doran smiled indulgently at his young cousin. "My dear, why don't you go and prepare yourself? Your betrothed will be arriving early this evening. Lady Stark here will not agree to finalise your betrothal until you and Lord Dayne met and decide for yourselves if you wish to proceed with the betrothal."

Matysse dipped her head at Ashara. "Thank you Lady Stark. It is kind of you to suggest it. I am grateful."

"I want you and Edric to have a loving marriage," said Ashara truthfully. "Will you join us for supper tonight?"

"Of course Lady Stark."

Ashara continued smiling as she watched her future good-niece bid a cheerful farewell to her friends and head inside the palace. "She is a sweet and lovely girl," Ashara said to Doran. "I already welcome her as my good-niece."

"Excellent!" Prince Doran declared. "I look forward to the day Houses Martell and Dayne are joined in matrimony!" His dark eyes glittered like onyxes. "I will be delighted beyond belief if one day, the great Houses Martell of Sunspear and Stark of Winterfell will unite through marriage too."


Supper was peaceful and quiet yet Ashara could not stop smiling. A tired Edric had arrived with Lord Beric; all his weariness had vanished when Lady Matysse led him into the Water Gardens' Great Hall.

Dressed in a clinging gown of red samite with long sleeves of fine Myrish lace, a rope of blood red rubies sparkled from their place around her slim neck and her wavy hair was pinned behind her ear by a sun clip fashioned from rubies. Upon closer examination, Ashara noticed each ray was connected by a string of gold. It reminded her of the round shield Oberyn owned.

Ashara herself had donned one of her late mother's old gowns. As she had not expected to visit the Water Gardens, none of the Northern dresses she'd brought were quite…right. She was now a Stark of the North, the Lady of Winterfell in fact, and it was expected of her to wear the Stark colours. However, she was Dornish by birth and no one in Dorne particularly cared about house colours.

As the Prince of Dorne's most honoured guest, Ashara was seated at the high table quite closely to the Martells with Edric on her right (next to Matysse) and her sister Allyria on her left. Allyria was in a beautiful dress of black silk slashed with purple. Ashara smiled at her sister. Her beam disappeared as she caught a glimpse of Allyria's wane face. "Are you ill?" she asked, concerned.

Allyria shook her head. "The smell…"

"The meat? Would you rather eat something else?"

"No. I'm not hungry Ashara. I think…I think I'm with child."

Ashara's face illuminated with joy. "Allyria!" She wanted to hug her tightly and tell her the miracles of motherhood.

"Will my husband be angry if I have a girl first?" said Allyria worriedly. Ashara shook her head. "Lord Beric will love her as much as he will love a son. Have you confirmed your pregnancy with a maester?"

"Not yet. I thought I would find a maester here."

Ashara nodded. "We will find you one first thing tomorrow morning. Have you thought of names? Does Beric know?"

"Do I know what?" inquired Lord Beric.

Allyria beamed. "I am with child!"

A look of joy appeared on the Lightning Lord's calm expression. He kissed her on the cheek and whispered what sounded like, "I will love a son but a daughter will always have a special place in my heart."

"Have you decided on names?" Ashara asked again after congratulating Allyria and Lord Beric again.

"I just heard the news Lady Stark," said Beric, still grinning with happiness. "It is astonishing! Allyria, are there any family members or individuals you wish to honour?" He and Ashara looked at a blushing Allyria. She thought for a moment and said. "If it is a boy, Arthur. For the last Sword of the Morning."

A fair choice. "If a girl?" Beric asked.

"Daena," said Allyria, squeezing Beric's hand, "after your mother. She was of House Velaryon was she not?"

As Beric Dondarrion replied, Ashara turned to her nephew. "Edric, how do you find Lady Matysse?"

"She is interesting," Edric responded thoughtfully. "I never really spoke to a girl before. Like a girl around my age. At Blackhaven, if I'm not training, I follow Lord Dondarrion around and learn from him. At times I converse to Lady Jena – Lord Dondarrion's sister – but she is always sad. Lady Matysse is much happier and talks of more cheerful stuff."

"Why is Lady Jena always sad?"

"Her mother died when she was little and she watched her father die in front of her. That's what she told me."

Ashara arched an eyebrow. "She watched her father die?"

Edric nodded gravely. "Yes Lady Aunt. Lady Jena was eight years old when her father returned from the Greyjoy Rebellion. He was bleeding badly and needed a maester. When Lady Jena ran up to him in the courtyard, her father fell from his horse and died. Poor Lady Jena."

Ashara glanced at Lord Beric. "Yes Edric. Poor Lady Jena."

"Lord Dayne," said Matysse suddenly. "I am quite full." She patted her mouth with a linen handkerchief. "What about you?"

"Quite full," Edric agreed. "Will you honour me with a dance, Lady Matysse? I heard you are a graceful dancer." Matysse took his hand and the two went to the dance floor, leaving two seats empty between Ashara and Doran's youngest son, Prince Trystane Martell.

"You do not dance, Prince Trystane?" said Ashara politely. She thought Prince Trystane looked a little sullen. He had the same shade of olive skin as the other Martells and his black hair was straight. Trystane Martell poked his plate of lamb and stuffed grape leaves. He looked at her and said moodily. "I prefer Cyvasse to dancing Lady Stark." He forced himself to smile. "Forgive me for my rudeness my lady. I did not have a good day today. I won a few games of Cyvasse against some of the servants and was in a good mood – until one of my uncle's daughters told me that they lost on purpose." He scowled. "I told them not to lose on purpose at least a dozen times. Mors played well with me – until he slipped in a fountain and hit his head against the pavement. Then he died."

"I'll play if you teach me, my prince," Ashara offered. She had heard about the intriguing board game introduced to Dorne by a trading galley from Volantis. It appeared all over Westeros but it was most popular in Dorne.

"How long will you be staying in the Water Gardens?"

"I don't know…a few days? A week?"

Trystane said nothing. He feels alone, Ashara realised slowly. He's only a boy of eleven – Lyarra's age. He craves company. Family. Friends. True friends who are not afraid to tell the truth or challenge him. Her eyes travelled around the room. Within seconds, they met Doran's. His were expressionless, impassive. That was when an idea crept into Ashara's mind.


Initially I hadn't thought to give the creature harassing Dany a name, but then I kind of got tired of writing 'the creature' over and over so I randomly chose Morbus as a name. Not very A Song of Ice and Fire-y haha. I have tests and assignments due this week so I might not be able to spend a lot of time on writing, but I'll try and update the next chapter in a few days.